No Saints Nor Poets Issue 1, the inaugural series from indie publisher Tightrope Press, is written by Iolanda Zanfardino (Midnight Radio), art by Elisa Romboli (A Thing Called Truth), with colors by Ilaria Chiocca.
It has been three years since the great flood submerged most of Serena. Now, with only the elite able to live in the Dry District, everyone else is left to make do with dangerous waters as they struggle to scrape by.
The setup for No Saints Nor Poets Issue 1 is writing perfection. Zanfardino opens up the issue with a playful exploration of the series’ two leads, Flynn and Pierre. Flynn is reckless and charming, while Pierre plays the anxious straight man to Flynn’s antics.
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The level of friction between the duo is applied in perfect measure. Flynn frustrates Pierre, but never to an unmanageable extent. It’s enough to cause Pierre stress, but never enough to overcome Flynn’s roguish charm and general good intentions.
The playfulness of the opening leaps off the page thanks to the combined efforts of Romboli and Chiocca. The art brings the interactions to life thanks to wonderfully dynamic poses and bright, vibrant colors that reflect the energy of the dialogue.
As the issue expands upon the pair’s interactions, it becomes clear that love is already present; the duo just needs to catch up. Pierre’s fear of a romantic entanglement interfering with their livelihood is a solid initial reason for his reluctance, though Zanfardino does hint at more hang-ups than just that brewing in Pierre’s past.
Once No Saints Nor Poets Issue 1 has established its leading pair, it smoothly transitions into world-building. Through a heartfelt exchange between Pierre and an old friend, we learn about the hardships of this world and how things have been made worse due to the actions of the elite. Like how the local church has hoarded resources to keep the Dry District intact, while only letting a select few in. This leaves Pierre’s friend wondering if this setup is truly the will of their god, Aestus, as she has been told.
Again, Zanfardino lays out this section of the narrative beautifully. The discussion is heartfelt, and the conclusions are impactful. The struggles of Serena hit home as we see more and more resources in our world drawn to the rich, leaving those of us left out in our own “dangerous waters.”
Just as with the opening, the art again delivers the visual element of the scene fantastically. The colors provide a warmth that enriches the heartfelt earnestness of the conversation. There are also some great POV choices made that capture the enormity of the problem and the personal nature of its impact in equal measure.
Another wonderful aspect of the visuals throughout No Saints Nor Poets Issue 1 is the layout. Pages are a mix of bordered and unbordered panels, with overlapping shots weaving into large, full-page images frequently. The layout skillfully creates a path for the eye to follow, allowing each shot to hit with the utmost effect.
As the story closes, Flynn and Pierre accept a job to move a piece of precious cargo from the Dry District. Shrouded in secrecy, the duo have misgivings when they learn about the nature of the cargo, but the offered payment is too good for the pair to pass up, leaving the promise of adventure in the waters for issue two, as things will inevitably go awry.
No Saints Nor Poets Issue 1 does everything you can ask of an opening chapter. It establishes both characters and their world with grace, making both elements enjoyable and engaging. This leaves the story in a fantastic place, as long as its creatives can keep the quality going for future installments.
No Saints Nor Poets Issue 1 is available now, with Issue 2 soon launching on Kickstarter.
